A 15-year-old was caught carrying two guns and ammo cartridges at Queens school Wednesday, law enforcement sources said.
School safety agents stopped and searched the student at York Early College Academy in South Jamaica just before noon, after a classmate alerted an administrator that the teen was carrying a weapon, police sources said.
The search turned up two handguns and two ammunition cartridges, authorities said.
Two guns and ammunition cartridges confiscated from a Queens student Wednesday.
The teen was arrested and charges are pending.
Weapons seizures at city schools have spiked significantly this year, with a total of 3,315 items confiscated from students between July and the end of February, compared with 1,845 during the corresponding period in the 2019-20 school year.
Items like pepper spray and Tasers account for much of the uptick. Students say they carry such items to protect themselves on their commutes.
The number of guns turning up in city schools has also surged, from just one during the 2019-20 school year to 14 as of the end of February.
Education Department spokeswoman Jenna Lyle said, “Guns have absolutely no place in our schools, and behavior like this will not be tolerated. The Department of Education is wholly committed to making sure our students, schools and communities are safe. Our school staff and school safety agents immediately and safely recovered these items following a concern raised by a community member. All protocols were followed, and we are working closely with NYPD regarding followup actions.”
Copyright © 2021, New York Daily News
Copyright © 2021, New York Daily News